The Struggles and Hopes of Persons with Disabilities: A Invitation to Christian Witness

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Webinar on “The Struggles and Hopes of Persons with Disabilities: A Invitation to Christian Witness” with Ms. Addie Isidro as resource speaker. Ms. Isidro is a faculty member of the Department of Theology and Ethics School of Arts, Sciences and Education, Higher Education Unit, Miriam College. Thank you very much Ms. Addie and to all the participants.

The main speaker, Miss Guadalupe Rodriguez Isidro, shared her experiences as a person with reduced mobility and the challenges she faced in society and employment. She advocated for embracing one’s disability and celebrating abilities, and stressed the importance of inclusive theology and church structures. The meeting concluded with a certificate of appreciation for Miss Isidro and an announcement of the next public lecture on mission spirituality and human rights.

Discussion on Disability and Personal Experiences

  • Miss Isidro shares her background, including her education, work with youth, and her role as a co-facilitator for students and young people.
  • She asks participants what comes to mind when they hear the word “disability.”
  • Participants share their thoughts, including physical and mental conditions, limitations, and the importance of understanding disability as both a challenge and a gift.
  • Miss Isidro discusses the derogatory terms used in Filipino culture to describe disability and the need for more inclusive language.
  • Miss Isidro shares her personal experience as a polio victim and the challenges she faced, including the medical model’s focus on defectiveness and the social model’s emphasis on societal structures.

Models of Disability and Theological Reflections

  • Miss Isidro introduces four models of disability: the moral model, medical model, social model, and limits model.
  • The moral model views disability as a punishment from God, while the medical model focuses on the defectiveness of the body.
  • The social model emphasizes societal structures that marginalize PWDs, and the limits model recognizes that disability is a universal experience.
  • Miss Isidro reflects on the importance of inclusive language and attitudes in understanding and supporting PWDs.

Inspiration and Overcoming Challenges

  • Miss Isidro shares her experiences of being rejected for jobs and religious life due to her disability and how she found support and acceptance among fellow PWDs.
  • She highlights the importance of embracing one’s disability and celebrating abilities, as well as the role of young people in inspiring others.
  • Miss Isidro discusses the need for more inclusive theology and church structures that reflect the dignity and contributions of PWDs.
  • She emphasizes the importance of recognizing the wholeness of one’s identity and the role of PWDs in co-creating God’s kingdom.